Our Project Manager, Walter Southall, was nominated and shortlisted for the Royal
College of Psychiatrists Carer Contributor of the Year Award, in November, and as
a result attended a glittering ceremony at The Royal Society of Medicine in Central
London.

Wally, who was nominated by Pauline King (PALS Manager at Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys
NHS Trust), has been a dedicated Carer for his Wife, Joan, for nearly 40 years and
was nominated for both this and his tireless work as the Project Manager, of STAMP
Revisited providing advocacy for Mental Health Service Users.

The Awards, now in their fifth year, aim to recognise and celebrate excellence in
Psychiatry and Mental Health Services. The Carer Contributor of the Year award is
to recognise the significant contribution carers make in developing and improving
Mental Health Services. Nominees demonstrated they had met at least two of the following
criteria:

Made a positive impact at local and/or national level to improving Mental Health
Services

Been an accessible role model to Mental Health Service Professionals, Service Users
and/or other Carers.

Contributed to the recruitment and/or training of Psychiatrists and/or Mental Health
Service Professionals.

On his return from London, Walter said:

‘I was delighted to be nominated for this Award. This is a National Award and the
Royal College of Psychiatrists President, Professor Sue Bailey, stated that there
had been a record number of nominations this year and the quality of nominations
were extremely high. So to be nominated by Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation
Trust was, indeed, an honour for me. Then to be shortlisted to a final four from
all those nominations was yet again a real honour.

I would like to thank the Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust for nominating
me, my Wife Joan, Jo Turnbull the Chair of TEWV Trust, Dr Land and Pauline King,
PALS & PPI Manager for supporting me on the day.

We had a fabulous day and although I didn’t win, there were no losers there on that
day. I was privileged to be among so many inspirational people. It was a day I
will never forget’.